matth wrote:
...
That's why I still love my windsurfing. If its honking I'm going old school. Just as much fun in high winds and no fear of dying.
I've started a few threads that asked when will the kites we use
in kite-boarding, start using the technology that's already used in other sports.
The bottom line is that the manufactures of kites , (((WANT))) there
kites to have a rather Narrow wind-range ; because Why ?
that's an Easy one :
They sell MORE kites that way !!!
I have a Para-glider, that has 20M of aria on it , and that ram-air is good
for 35mph, (30 kt) of forward speed.
I have a HG, that will fly right there with a PG, (maybe i'll be a bit lower), but
it's good for 70 fricken mph !!! Even the placard on the wing states near 60mph
in turbulent air, and the wing won't break ; it has 16M of aria ...
A 16M water-kite will not come even Close to matching those speeds.
A water kite could Easily be made to handle nearly 30% more wind-range than
they do today, and the efficiency actually ((Goes UP/ Gets Better)) ; like i said :
"manufacturers WANT to sell more kites" , so they keep the wind-range kind of narrow.
Bille